Today was one of those special days that happens all too rarely in day to day life. I get busy or I get distracted with money, ministry, politics, or some combination of the three. Today was about what is truly important and one of the greatest blessings in my life.
All of us started off today planning to go to a half-off kidz sale at a Lutheran church in a small town outside of here. They had converted their gym to a thrift store. We hoped to find a stroller for our son, who is now too big for the baby carriers we have. I was surprised to find a very rugged stroller for $20. We used another $15 to get two sets of clothes and new toys for him. He loves the toys, yet still prefers to wear as little as possible.
Coming home, we talked for a bit before lunch. Afterwards, my wife feeling ill, went upstairs for a nap. Our son and I played for two hours. He laughed as naturally as breathing and other things to say besides. I think he out-talked both of us today, and that is a Herculean task!
When she awoke, I went to spend my usual Saturday time writing. This week was finishing up a chapter of my cousin’s book and writing more polished rules to Tactique, a game my friend and I playtested last night. I had some notion to write about other things, but I only got a few fragments jotted down. Otherwise, I posted a comment or two around the Internet and left it at that.
After writing, my wife and I just talked. I mean the kind of talks that two people in love have about matters of the heart. We love each other and it needed to be said with poetical and emphatic force. We talked about growing up and why we love the things we love (besides each other). Moving outside to a mild day, we listened to the radio and watched the Blue Jay dart across the sky. We danced to the radio with our son and laughed at Garrison Kellior (and the rest of A Prairie Home Companion).
Moving back inside, our son and I played for another three hours. He rolled around the floor and laughed and explored and smiled at me. We talked about the usual things, you know, politics, the price of gas, some diaper scandal in the Midwest, who’s running for President amongst other things. He made some pretty strong points about teeth being worth the pain as well as poignant editorials about music. To do him justice, you have to hear it from him, but he tends to favor melodic songs that tell a story. He likes that kind of music so much, he shakes from head to toe upon hearing it.
My wife prepared the menu for the coming week and wrote to a mutual friend in Texas in the Air Force. We pray for her a lot – she wants to learn medicine and help people and we are afraid she may do the exact opposite. She was there for my wife when she moved here to see if our relationship would lead anywhere. She was in our wedding and visited us in the hospital shortly after our son was born. An amazing 18 year old – she does her parents proud by who she is.
As the evening drew to a close, we sang calming songs with our son and prayed together. All of us hope for a good night’s sleep. We also hope to get in touch with sacred space at service tomorrow. We hope for a lot of things, but more than anything, we are grateful for days like today. A day of blessings.
When we discovered we were pregnant with our son, I began a shift in thinking about the future instead of always thinking in the present moment. What will be best for our son in two years, five years, ten years? How can I save now in a Plan 125 to help with college? When will he eat solid food? How long will these cloth diapers last?
At one point in our morning playing time, I hugged him tightly and wept over him. I prayed that he would be happy. I prayed that he would be safe from evil men and well-intentioned complacent men that will do him harm. I prayed that he would not have my struggles with God and I told him again that God loves him, and Mommy, and Daddy. I confessed to God that I may only make it to Heaven as one escapes flames, if I make it at all, so I prayed that our son would not inherit the sins of his father. I prayed that I want our son to know that he can make a difference in the lives of others, and that doing the right thing is sometimes difficult, so there is always grace.
It struck me later, though, that there are times to think about the present moment. Tomorrow has enough evil of its own. Today, though, is where the opportunities are. And what opportunities came today! I will always remember spending so much of a day with our son and doing the verbal drills and rolling on the floor and the new (and now silent) telephone toy. I will remember the easy conversation between my wife and me. I will remember dancing in the backyard to great music and our son smiling with us. I’ll remember seeing him at the exact moment waking up and recognizing his dad.
So today is precious and wonderful and full of blessings. Days like today help me to understand a bit of what Heaven may be like.